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For first time, mare takes jumping title

Molly Ashe guides Kroon Gravin to the best jump-off performance in winning the American Invitational.

By ANNE LINDBERG

© St. Petersburg Times, published April 1, 2001

TAMPA -- For the first time in its 29-year history, the $200,000 American Invitational jumping championship was won by a mare as Molly Ashe rode Kroon Gravin to victory Saturday at Raymond James Stadium.

It also was the first time Ashe, 30, of Wellington won the event and just the second time she had qualified for it. She did not qualify until last weekend when she won the $75,000 Grand Prix of Tampa on Kroon Gravin, a 9-year-old Dutch-bred mare.

In earning her first-place award of $60,000, Ashe was one of six riders out of 30 to complete the course with no faults and advance to a jump-off. In winning the jump-off, she had no mistakes and the fastest time -- 52.84 seconds.

After her ride, Ashe had to watch three more competitors try to top her effort. "I was freaking out," she said. "It was a little nerve-racking watching the rest go."

Ashe, who has international experience, said she competed at the Grand Prix level for eight or nine years before qualifying for the Invitational for the first time last year.

"I've dreamed and dreamed and dreamed of trying to qualify for the Invitational," she said.

Chris Kappler of Pittstown, N.J., finished second. Kappler, riding 9-year-old Dutch-bred Royal Kaliber, had two clear rounds but had a time of 53.17 in the jump-off. He earned $44,000.

Kappler, 34, placed second in a Grand Prix event for the fourth time this season. After two down years, he said, he has been bringing along several young horses. "It just feels great to be back in there."

Schuyler Riley, who won the Invitational last year, was third on 11-year-old Dutch gelding Ilian, completing the jump-off course in 55.78 seconds. She earned $26,000.

Riley, 29, of Wellington was the first on the jump-off course and had a more cautious approach to the ride.

Margie Goldstein-Engle of Wellington celebrated her 43rd birthday with the honor of being named the American Grand Prix Association Rider of the Year for an unprecedented seventh time. She also came in sixth in the Invitational, competing on 10-year-old German gelding Hidden Creek's Perin.

Goldstein-Engle knocked down one fence and had a refusal in the jump-off. "He's a great horse for going clear," she said. "(But) speed is not our thing."

She blamed herself for making too many tight turns in the jump-off in an effort to beat Ashe's time.

"I didn't think I could beat her on foot speed, so I tried to make the tight turns."

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